Imperiled Majesty: North American Oceans and Coasts

Abstract

Stoett begins with an overview of some of the major threats to marine ecology, particularly to oceans and coasts, in the North American context. His contribution introduces different key policy questions that observers and analysts should strive to answer as North America moves forward. He states that an awareness of how decisions are made and implemented is a key element in any case study related to oceans policy before any bilateral or trilateral policy collaboration, convergence, or divergence can take place. He goes on to make specific questions about how policy is developed and whether the policy is science-driven or politically (or, even, ideologically) determined. Stoett concludes his contribution exploring some nascent areas of trilateral cooperation.

We will … work together to better integrate ocean observation systems, enhance early warning systems for natural disasters, and cooperate on marine protected areas … [and] enhance the conservation and restoration of wetlands, which increase mitigation actions ( blue carbon ), preserve coastal ecosystems services, and reduce the potential impacts of more frequent or intense severe weather events under climate change projections.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, President Barack Obama, and President Enrique Peña Nieto, Leaders’ Statement on a North American Climate, Clean Energy, and Environment Partnership.

June 29, 2016.